RIACMET chapter 58

 

As they watched the taillights of the vehicle quickly disappear beyond the outer area gate, everyone smiled and shook their heads. Then, they unwrapped their popsicles and began to eat.

Cheng Jing looked lost in thought. He pulled out his phone and sent a message to the wild man:

[Don’t drive too fast]

After pausing for a moment, he typed another message:

[You look good in a white shirt today]

It was actually the first time he’d seen Jiang Nian wearing a white shirt. He was so accustomed to seeing Jiang Nian in casual clothes that the dress shirt and slacks felt surprisingly fresh.

When he saw Jiang Nian earlier, the phrase “white moonlight”[mfn] The pure, beautiful first love or unattainable love you always yearn for.[/mfn] had flashed through his mind.

They were clearly like an old married couple, yet he still found himself completely taken with Jiang Nian.

Even though he was unwilling to admit it, deep down, he knew that he really loved Jiang Nian. Although he was sure that Jiang Nian only had eyes for him, he still worried that someone might steal him away.

Ding——

He wasn’t sure if Jiang Nian had pulled over or was reading his phone while driving. After a moment, the reply came through:

[Brother Jing, you really have a thing for this, huh? If you’d told me sooner, I would’ve worn it more often for you.]

[Don’t worry, I can’t drive too fast by myself. I’ll stop when I need to. But when I’m driving with you, I just can’t stop at all. I love you~]

“….”

Cheng Jing could almost see that smug, grinning face in his mind, taunting him. He reread the message, feeling both annoyed and at a loss for words.

What did that mean? Did he really have a thing for him? He’d only said that he looked nice. How did that sound like he was a pervert? That shameless little brat!

Besides, the “driving” he was talking about was completely different from what Jiang Nian meant…utterly indecent!

His cheeks grew warm. He quickly put his phone away, unwrapped his popsicle, and took a bite to cool down. He wasn’t sure if the heat or Jiang Nian’s teasing was making him feel this way. Heartless man.

No one noticed the strange mood on their team leader’s face as they ate and chatted.

Zhao Lei glanced toward the gate leading out to the wasteland and asked,

“Brother Nian runs a grocery store, right? Why does he always go out to those remote areas? I’m really looking forward to that store opening soon.”

Over the past few days, they had run into Jiang Nian several times while on patrol, and he always seemed to be heading for the wasteland.

Liao Yu replied casually.

“He’s probably going to check out some farmland. Didn’t our godfather stockpile a bunch of seeds? I’m guessing he wants to lease a plot and grow something.”

The others remembered the seeds he had collected and nodded in agreement.

Zhou Rongbin looked at Cheng Jing, popsicle in hand.

“Is that right, Brother Cheng? When the time comes, I can help out. I actually know a bit about farming.”

In school, his favorite classes were the hands-on agriculture lessons. He used to dream that if he ever made enough money, he would buy some land and live a simple life in the countryside.

“Yeah, I haven’t had time to ask him yet.”

Cheng Jing nodded. Lately, training and work had been relentless. As the team leader, he also had to attend theory classes every night, often returning to the dorm past ten.

Jiang Nian, who ran around all day, was usually exhausted. By the time he finished washing up, he’d either be half-asleep or already out cold. Cheng Jing couldn’t bring himself to disturb him.

In the mornings, there was never enough time. He just hadn’t had a chance to ask about it yet.

He decided to wait a few more days until things calmed down and he could get home earlier. Then, he would sit down and talk to the man about his plans.

After finishing their popsicles, the group resumed their patrol. By that point, Jiang Nian was already sitting in the reception area of the Agricultural Planning Department at the base.

While waiting for the staff to prepare the paperwork, he unfolded a large map of the wasteland on the small table and studied it carefully.

He was so absorbed that he didn’t even notice someone opening the door until he heard a surprised voice call out to him.

“Jiang Nian? Wow, it really is you!”

“Huh?”

Jiang Nian looked up in surprise. He didn’t recognize the pretty young woman standing there, who looked delighted to see him.

She wore a light, floral chiffon blouse, jeans, and white sneakers. Her hair was tied up in an adorable bun, and a brown shoulder bag hung over her arm.

Even without makeup, her complexion was pale and beautiful.

“Uh…”

Jiang Nian was sure she wasn’t someone he knew, though she did look vaguely familiar. He could only smile politely and ask,

“Sorry, who are you?”

“You… I’m Jiang Wenwen, remember?”

Jiang Wenwen looked a little disappointed at his serious expression.

She hadn’t expected him to remember her beauty, but surely their last meeting in Qingyun City left some impression?

How could he have completely forgotten?

She’d always liked guys who looked obedient and dependable. She’d just been passing by after washing up when she happened to see the back of a tall, handsome man through the glass door. On impulse, she came in to take a look, only to run right into an old acquaintance.

Seeing Jiang Nian today, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, really hit her sweet spot. He looked exactly like someone you’d want to flirt with.

Unfortunately, she’d already learned he was taken.

Since fate had thrown them together again, though, there was no harm in just being friends.

After all, she hadn’t found many peers she could relate to since the apocalypse began, so she often kept to herself.

One reason she’d paid attention to Jiang Nian’s team in Qingyun was that the group dynamic seemed equal and sincere.

Besides, she thought Jiang Nian was her ideal type, so she tried to approach him. Unexpectedly, not only had he rejected her, but he also showered her with dog food.

“Jiang Wenwen? Oh, I remember now. Hello.”

Jiang Nian thought for a moment before it clicked. Jiang Wenwen was the water-based mutant who had chatted with Brother Jing in Qingyun City and then tried to flirt with him.

Back then, she’d been bundled up like a dumpling. Now that she’d changed clothes, her whole vibe felt softer and more elegant—she was very pretty.

After taking a closer look, he felt that she looked like someone else, but he couldn’t quite place her. He didn’t dwell on it, though.

“Why are you here?”

“What are you doing here?”

The two of them blurted out their questions at the same time, then both paused and burst out laughing.

“Hahaha…”

“All right, all right. Let’s just reintroduce ourselves.”

Jiang Wenwen reached out her hand and smiled easily.

“My name’s Jiang Wenwen. I’m twenty-one years old and from Qingyun City. I used to be a college student, and now I’m one of the water plant managers here at the Nancheng Base’s planned farmland.”

Hearing that she was a water plant manager, Jiang Nian’s eyes lit up. He smiled and reached out to shake her hand.

“Jiang Nian. What a coincidence—we’re the same age! I’m from Tianhe City. I was a college student, too. Now, I’m basically just a lazy bum, haha.”

“I’m a little jealous of people who can still take it easy in times like these.”

Jiang Wenwen sat down across from him. Even though they weren’t really close, it felt comfortable, like they would be soon.

Jiang Nian laughed and teased back,

“I’m jealous of people who become insiders as soon as they arrive at the base.”

Although she was technically an external hire, like Brother Jing and the others, she counted as part of the staff.

He had just been worrying about how to manage his leased land when an acquaintance showed up at exactly the right moment.

Some people say that if you feel relaxed and happy around someone right away, it means your auras match.

The first time Jiang Nian met Jiang Wenwen, she made a good impression on him. Even though she said some over-the-top things, she was always straightforward and never made him uncomfortable.

Now, upon meeting again, they were able to chat openly without any awkwardness or ambiguity after just a few words. They were really well-suited to be friends.